2 more years for most incumbents

The Indianapolis Star Editorial Board recommends candidates in the following congressional races:

1st district

Rep. Pete Visclosky disappointed us by voting "no" on the financial rescue package, one of the most significant pieces of legislation to confront him in his 12 terms in the House. His objections to the huge expenditure were well-defended, however; and his lengthy record of service to the Northwest Indiana district remains a compelling one.

The industrial, economically struggling area on Lake Michigan has benefited from the Democrat's position on the Appropriations Committee and his chairmanship of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. Visclosky has worked both to preserve traditional manufacturing jobs and to nurture high-tech business and the educational improvements to support it.

Republican Mark Leyva, a union carpenter running for the sixth time, calls Visclosky's success in bringing home federal money a negative in that it aggravates wasteful government spending. Leyva's critique of earmarks merits attention; but the incumbent stands as the better choice for the office.

2nd district

Joe Donnelly, completing his first term in the U.S. House, already has emerged as one of Indiana's stronger members of Congress.

Donnelly, a self-described "blue-dog'' Democrat, is a fiscal conservative with realistic ideas about how to reduce the federal deficit, including support of so-called pay-go policies on federal spending. The congressman voted for the $700 billion financial package, defending it as an essential move to save jobs in the district.

Donnelly has turned in solid work as a newcomer on the House Financial Services, Agriculture and Veteran Affairs committees. He's also one of the more independent members of the House Democratic caucus, reflected in his decision to twice vote against annual budget resolutions, his opposition to abortion and support of individuals' right to own guns.

Republican challenger Luke Puckett is an engaging although inexperienced first-time candidate. Puckett, a small business owner, has passionate views on energy policy and national security, but struggled in an Editorial Board interview to push beyond basic talking points. Libertarian Mark Vogel also is on the ballot.

The Star strongly recommends Donnelly for a second term.

3rd district

After seven terms in the House, Republican Mark Souder remains a reliably conservative voice but one who is willing to listen and adapt when necessary.

The latest case in point was Souder's vote in favor of the financial rescue package, a plan that the congressman acknowledges was very unpopular in his district. Souder voted for it, he says, because the deal was needed to avert an economic meltdown that would have wiped out jobs in Indiana. Although voters may disagree with that assessment, they should appreciate a member of Congress who puts what he thinks is the nation's best interests above his own.

Some of Souder's most important work in Congress has dealt with drug abuse. He wrote anti-methamphetamine legislation that passed in 2006 and has proven to be an important tool in Indiana and other states in reducing the meth trade.

Democratic challenger Michael Montagano is a young attorney who describes himself as "pro-life, pro-gun, pro-farm and pro-prayer.'' Montagano, a recent law school graduate who has not held elected office, shows promise. The political newcomer, however, is not yet ready to serve in Congress.

Libertarian William Larson also is on the ballot.

4th district

Voters have two strong candidates to choose from in this west Central Indiana district. Incumbent Republican Steve Buyer, completing his ninth term, has built a solid record of fiscal conservatism. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, he's taken a lead on energy issues, including sponsorship of legislation to increase domestic oil production and co-sponsorship of a bill to extend tax credits for alternative energy sources.

Democrat Nels Ackerson is a longtime attorney who, like several Democratic congressional candidates in Indiana, is running to the right of his national party. Ackerson is a thoughtful and experienced leader who touts himself as an agent of change. He has a tendency, however, to lapse into standard campaign rhetoric at the expense of specifics. His campaign also has aired some of the state's more negative advertising this year in targeting Buyer, who himself is no stranger to hardnosed politics.

Ackerson has notable strengths, but he's not made the case to oust Buyer.

5th district

The Star's Editorial Board took the rare step of expressing a preference in a congressional primary election last spring, touting John McGoff as the best hope for ousting 13-term Rep. Dan Burton. A fresh round of embarrassments, capped by Burton's vote against House ethics legislation that passed 430-1, prompted our move and fueled McGoff's candidacy.

Burton survived the GOP primary, however; and historically he has not faced strong general election opponents in the heavily Republican district.

This fall, that's different. Mary Etta Ruley of Gas City has a rich background in small business, education, congressional staff service and national public policy research. She was a member, along with Alan Greenspan and Milton Friedman, of the President's Commission on an All-Volunteer Armed Force.

An energetic campaigner, Ruley deserves bipartisan support from a constituency too long ill-served by Burton's eccentric, selfish conduct.

6th district

Republican incumbent Mike Pence is one of the more thoughtful and principled conservatives in Congress. He's also shown that he's willing when necessary to challenge the leaders of his party on spending, taxes and immigration.

At times, however, Pence is a bit too inflexible, including most recently in his passionate but unrealistic stand against the financial rescue package.

With that said, Congress likely would be far less dysfunctional if more members were as professional in their approach to politics as Pence, who is completing his fourth term.

Democratic challenger Barry Welsh, making his second bid for Congress, is an earnest advocate for ending the war in Iraq and creating universal health care coverage. Welsh, a Methodist pastor, has shown solid growth from his first campaign in 2006 but is still shaky on details, including how to pay for his health-care proposals.

Libertarian George Holland also is on the ballot.

The Star strongly recommends Mike Pence for a fifth term.

7th district

Facing his third election to a seat he has yet to hold for a full term, Rep. Andre Carson has a right to feel like an instant Washington veteran. He seems to have made the most of his crash course.

Winner of a special election and primary last spring for the right to succeed his late grandmother, longtime Rep. Julia Carson, the young Democrat has gained noticeably in polish and assertiveness during a hectic few months capped by the financial rescue agreement. The only Hoosier to change his vote, Carson speaks persuasively of the additions that led to his final "yes" -- even if fiscal conservatives might quarrel with some of them.

His Republican opponent, Gabrielle Campo, also emphasizes energy diversification and its employment possibilities. She assigns high priority to education. An impressive newcomer, she will continue to be heard from on the political scene. The incumbent, though, has earned a full term.

8th district

Rep. Brad Ellsworth's first term after defeating six-term incumbent John Hostettler was an eventful and creditable one, notable for willingness to work across the aisle.

The Evansville Democrat cites health care and veterans' benefits as major areas of concern; but it was the economic rescue bill that provided his initiation. Ellsworth says his "yes" vote came only on condition of congressional oversight and only after evidence that the credit crunch was being felt back home.

His Republican opponent, Greg Goode, is well versed in public policy, having served as a university governmental affairs officer and a congressional aide. The staunch conservative has failed to make his case, however, that Ellsworth has "betrayed" Hoosier values.

9th district

Given the prevalence of gerrymandering and a campaign financing system that favors incumbents, it's uncommon for voters to be offered a choice between two well-qualified candidates in congressional races. But three strong candidates competing for one House seat? That's unheard of. Or at least that's the case outside this southeastern Indiana district, where for the second time Democrat Baron Hill, Libertarian Eric Schansberg and Republican Mike Sodrel face off.

Schansberg, an Indiana University Southeast economics professor, is a prime example of how far the Libertarian Party has advanced in Indiana. He's thoughtful and well versed on core issues.

So too is Sodrel, who lost the seat to Hill in 2006. Sodrel brings a business owner's experience and expertise to issues such as energy and health care. His previous stint in Congress gives him a depth of knowledge rare among challengers. And the past two years outside of Washington have helped temper partisan tendencies.

Hill, a proud "blue-dog'' Democrat, has shown encouraging growth in the past two years, but remains the weakest of the three candidates in addressing, with specifics, issues such as how to curb government spending.

Voters should seize the opportunity to return Sodrel to Congress.

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2 more years for most incumbents

The Indianapolis Star Editorial Board recommends candidates in the following congressional races: 1st district Rep. Pete Visclosky disappointed us by voting 'no' on the financial rescue package,